The Soccer Player

Niall Quinn was at the height of his playing career when a cruciate ligament injury to his left knee stopped him in his tracks…

Niall Quinn was at the height of his playing career when a cruciate ligament injury to his left knee stopped him in his tracks. The Republic of Ireland had just qualified for the 1994 World Cup, but many people felt that Quinn's football days were over - at 27.

As he fought back mentally and physically from that injury, he suffered similar damage to his other knee. Against all the odds, he is now back to his best and his club, Sunderland, has been promoted to the English Premiership for next season, thanks in part to Quinn's 21 goals during the year.

"At that time, it really was the dreaded injury," says Quinn, "and one which finished a lot of careers. Players would prefer to break a leg than damage the cruciate ligament.

"The initial reaction is always the hardest, but I was lucky to get a very good surgeon to look after the operation. He told me the first day I saw him that the recovery will depend on three things. First; on what he does in the operation, second; on the rehabilitation I do after the operation, and most importantly, on how well my head can take it. Looking back, that was the best piece of advice I could ever have gotten."

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The other important factor in Quinn's recovery was the time he could commit to the rehabilitation. As a professional player, he could afford to give his recovery the necessary attention seven days a week, with the best facilities available.

"I'd be lying if I said that I was 100 per cent sure of making it back but I knew I couldn't feel sorry for myself. There was another player at the club that time with the same injury who was an emotional wreck and never made it back. I knew I could never let myself get like that. If you can sort out the head it's a lot easier - but you really have to believe it."

After signing with Sunderland for a record fee a couple of years later, Quinn suffered the second injury and admits that came a lot closer to ending his career. "There were more complications the second time and I really thought about calling it a day. I seemed to be missing the vital edge in my game but the manager stood by me and then a second opinion revealed further problems with the knee bones."

That was sorted out and, 20 months later, he hasn't missed a game for anything more serious than a muscle strain. "Having come through it all I can definitely say that I appreciate more what I'm doing now and the feeling of serving out my career makes it so much better."